How do you cure shingles?

Answer 1

As you may be aware, shingles is caused by a virus, the same one that causes chickenpox. Basically it is a re-emergence of the chickenpox virus. The virus is usually contained to an area of skin called a dermatome. This is the descriptive name for an area of skin supplied by a particular group of nerves. Whilst the rash you have might spread along this dermatome, it almost never crosses into another one. This means that if it isn't already on your face, it won't go there. Stress won't spread the virus, but being stressed will affect your immune system and make it slower to relax.

The medicine your doctor gave you is almost certainly aciclovir, which is an anti-viral drug taken up to 5 times a day. This must be started as soon as possible and should not be stopped mid-way through the course of else it will not be as effective. Unfortunately this is the only medical way to treat a virus. The only other option is that painkillers which you are already taking. The rash should subside by the end of the course.

You should be aware that some patients experience persisting pain after the rash has gone, occasionally for up to 6 months. This can be treated readily with painkillers and neurotransmitter drugs such as gabapentin and you should see your doctor if you are worried about this.

Hopefully as it sounds like you are near the start of your medication, this should start to have an effect soon.

Best wishes and get well soon!
Satan

Answer 2

There are some good answers here but they lack some details.
I have had horrible bouts of shingles and will tell you there is no cure but an anti-viral drug can stop further outbreaks.

Everyone who has ever had chicken pox carries the shingles virus (Herpes Zoster)--it lays dormant on nerve endings. For most people--they will never know its there.

But for some--high stress--lowered immune system and trauma from other illness's can trigger an out break.
Shingles follow a nerve path on the body's torso, thighs, legs, arms or face.
They form blisters that will crust over and are painful and very itchy.

Scratching them raises the risk of infection and spreading them further along the nerve path.
The myth about shingles is that they are very contagious--they are not.

The only people that could get infected is people who have never had chicken pox and they would actually have to come into direct contact with the fluids as a blister breaks. They would catch chicken pox not shingles.

The pain associated with Shingles can last up to a year after an out break has run its corse.
Anti--Histamines and mild pain meds will help with the itching and pain.

Rest--avoiding stress can speed up healing.

Answer 3

There is no cure for shingles, but they are treatable and with proper treatment....they can go dormant in your system. Shingles are caused by the herpes simplex virus. If you had chicken pox as a child, you have that virus in your system. Some people get shingles, some don't. If you think you have shingles, you need to see your doctor right away so they can start you on an anti-viral medication. That will lessen the severity of the outbreak. The doctor can also give you something for the pain--besides pain killers. There are creams and lidocaine patches that will also help once your sores heal.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

Shingles, or Herpes Zoster, is an outbreak of blisters related to chicken pox brought on by stress or contact with someone who has chicken pox. Usually it is located on one side of the body and is extremely painful (neuropathy) of which the pain may be reduced by administering morphine. In addition, an antiviral drug, Acyclovir, may also be taken. It is not curable and the disease takes a long time to heal. Shingles may recur in some cases. If you have shingles, stay away from children who have yet to experience chicken pox. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

Shingles is actually caused by a varicella virus which is also known as the chicken pox virus. A virus does not have a cure. It must work it's way through your immune system to halt your "down" time. There are things you can take in order to treat the symptoms of pain & nausea. The virus is usually "awakened" when the individual has suffered some form of stress over a period of time. Hope this "awakening" goes away fast.

Answer 7

Shingles is caused by an outbreak of the chicken pox virus. It happens sometimes in people who had chicken pox as children. You can't get shingles if you havent' had chicken pox before.
There is medication you can get to lessen the pain of the outbreak, but there is no cure, and flare ups can occasionally happen.

Answer 8

Shingles is a virus called herpes zoster, it happens to people with weakened immune systems. The virus get into the nerves and it's basically like having chicken pox on your nerves. If caught early heavy doses of Valtrex may help

Answer 9

Sorry...no cure.

Answer 10

that goes away with time. ask a doctor so they can properly tell you